CELL-CULTURE OF HOLARRHEN A-ANTIDYSENTERICA - GROWTH AND ALKALOID PRODUCTION

Callus and suspension culture of Holarrhena antidysenterica were established for production of steroidal alkaloids, especially conessine. The doubling time and specific growth rate of cells in suspension culture were computed to be 47.5 hr and 0.35 per day respectively. A maximum of 300 mg alkaloids per 100 g dry cell wt in 40 days and 130 mg per 100 g dry cell wt in eight days were obtained in the callus and suspension cultures respectively. Alkaloid production in suspension culture was a combined growth and non-growth associated phenomena. About 90% of the total alkaloids produced in the cell cultures was conessine, which was confirmed by spectral data.